‘Rooibos’ Behind the Stars’ Flawless Looks

Charlize Theron might not be the only valuable South African export in the spotlight at this year’s Oscars – Rooibos already has a major celebrity following with big names such as Anthony Hopkins, Angelina Jolie, Hugh Jackman and Gwyneth Paltrow already taking advantage of its many health and beauty benefits.

The Academy Awards or ‘Oscars’ is the biggest night of the year for Hollywood celebrities and if the pressure was ever on to look good, this is the night. It’s the award ceremony where no-name actors and actresses are either catapulted to superstardom or where a single flaw can ruin their career.

The stars’ soon-to-be-unveiled flawless looks have been months in the making and no doubt required an army of experts, serums and potions to get them to look their best. Among their armoury of beauty products, Rooibos seems to be a firm favourite.

Here’s how Rooibos is helping the stars to get svelte, lean and red carpet-ready in time for the big night:

• Angelina Jolie lathers her perfect pout with a lip balm that boasts Rooibos and a variety of other unusual ingredients;
• Gwyneth Paltrow and supermodel, Miranda Kerr drinks Rooibos to detox and stay in shape;
• Charlize Theron, Jessica Alba, Hugh Jackman and model Candice Swanepoel all indulge in Rooibos salon treatments which revitalises the skin and leaves an illuminating glow;
• The beautiful Salma Hayek and Victoria-secret model, Adriana Lima both swear by a Rooibos beauty beverage that purifies the skin from the inside out;
• Academy Award winner, Helen Mirren takes her Rooibos sachets wherever she goes, and
• Model Josie Maran swears by a Rooibos-enriched hair detox blend for beautiful cascading locks.

Adele du Toit, spokesperson for the Rooibos Council says it’s no wonder that Rooibos is a hit among celebrities and health-conscious consumers in the US. “Since Rooibos first made its debut in the US in the early 1990’s, sales to the country have tripled and every year more cosmetics houses – local and international – are cottoning onto the nourishing and anti-ageing properties found in Rooibos.

“South Africa now exports a vast array of different Rooibos products to the US, from the traditional unflavoured tisane to flavoured Rooibos, cappuccinos and cosmetics, which ranges from make-up to skin, hair, perfume and nail-care products.

“Its use in cosmetics has increased rapidly and garnered much attention over the last few years, as more research proving the plethora of health and beauty benefits of Rooibos has become better known. Rooibos’ high flavonoid content makes it a powerful anti-aging ingredient for skincare formulas. Since much of skin-aging is caused by exposure to UV rays, pollution and other environmental contaminants, Rooibos’ free-radical destroying abilities helps to protect the skin and to preserve a more youthful look.”

He adds that Rooibos is also known to have anti-viral, anti-fungal and antibacterial properties, making it ideal for those with acne, eczema, psoriasis and other difficult skin conditions. It is also known to be hypoallergenic, helping to calm reactive and sensitive skin and soothe redness, itching and rashes.

Already loved by South Africans, it’s not difficult to see why Hollywood’s rich and famous are clamouring for every bit of this trend-setting treasure of ours.

Be sure to catch all the red-carpet action on Monday, 29 February at 3:00 CAT, when the 88th Academy Awards will be aired on DSTV channel O (320).